a. dispose off 'Dhamma' items which have degenerated due to reasons like aging, wrong printing, spoilage and etc?b. Dhamma items: ranging from printed materials to statues etc

Bhikkhus, if you develop and make much this one thing, it invariably leads to weariness, cessation, appeasement, realization and extinction. What is it? It is recollecting the Enlightened One. If this single thing is recollected and made much, it invariably leads to weariness, cessation, appeasement, realization and extinction.Anguttara-Nikaya: Ekanipata: Ekadhammapali: PañhamavaggaVSMVMMWBBTBHTWTBTMy Page

If the items are still usable and the information is correct, consider donating them to the nearby local temple. If the printed materials are too old to be used, I'd usually recite the Ratana Sutta (ref: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .piya.html ) and then use a clean clay pot to burn them.

For any explanation you receive, keep in mind that I don't believe the Buddha himself gave instructions on such matters.

Therefore explanations may just as likely be reflective of local cultural practices, as they are "Theravadin" practices. (There is some overlap between the two)

Metta,Retro.

If you have asked me of the origination of unease, then I shall explain it to you in accordance with my understanding: Whatever various forms of unease there are in the world, They originate founded in encumbering accumulation. (Pārāyanavagga)

Exalted in mind, just open and clearly aware, the recluse trained in the ways of the sages:One who is such, calmed and ever mindful, He has no sorrows! -- Udana IV, 7

Remember that the oldest Buddhist manuscripts discovered after 2000+ years in clay pots under ground in Afghanistan are believed to have been "respectfully disposed of" in this way. And yet someone can still find them useful today.